7-7-14 12:39 PM EST: How many of us remember when we were kids in school, we had to write a story on something like, “Who we most admire and why” or “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I remember writing such stuff, but can’t really remember who I admired most. I’ve admired a lot of folks through my life, but as I grew up, those I admired were much more worth admiring.

One lady I’ve grown to admire incredibly the past few years is someone I remember seeing on TV when I was a kid. While I don’t remember seeing her movies, she was in commercials and guest starred on TV shows. She often called herself Big Mouth. Some of you might know now who I’m talking about.

She was born Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed, most folks know her as Martha Raye, but to those who loved her, she was Col. Maggie.

7-1-14 12:14 PM EST: Well, people have tried to become VA whistleblowers, and have been retaliated against. It's almost as if the VA union is circling the war wagons around the bloated bureaucracy isn't it?

Unions. You'll find the union label stitched or glued on and across all aspects of this mess. They just want more ya' know? More money, more protection from pink slips (if that's even possible), and more self-centered, rather than patient-centered benefits.

7-5-14 2:32 PM EST: Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi is still in a Mexican prison. Has anything been done by the current administration to get him out? Shouldn't he be crossing the U.S. border and going back home?

6-25-14 12:28 PM EST: For Warrior Wednesday, I wanted to find a more uplifting way to spotlight some of our Military men and women, and I found just the thing. Most of us think of our Troops and Veterans as well, Troops and Veterans. We know they’re good at what they do but we don’t know their hidden talents. Over the years I’ve found that there are many talented folks out there who are quiet about what they do, whether they like to write, paint, act or sing.

7-5-14 1:55 PM EST: This a group which meets every week at a diner to discuss the good old days and talk of their love for aviation. There are pilots in this club who dropped bombs on Hiroshima, and Hitler's huge gas supply depot in Romania. One of the WWII survivors seems sharp and srpy at the age of 92, and another at 93, and no meeting begins until the latter has taken his seat. The elder pilot statesmen of the group I'd say.

6-23-14 11:51 AM EST: Three months and counting as Andrew Tahmooressi sits in a Mexican prison. He accidentally crossed into Mexico at night. The border was not marked and he had three legally registered guns with him. In Mexico they call that gun running, or trafficking.

The White House website has over 120K signatures on it to help get Tahmooressi released. The threshold is supposed to be 100K signatures. The White House hasn't responded in any way. An appropriate response would be to get him out of there and back home.

7-3-14 2:53 PM EST: A veteran was actually inside a VA facility's cafeteria, which is a five minute walk via people-pushed gurney away from the emergency room. However it took 30 minutes alone for an ambulance to be dispatched and the veteran died before he could be taken to that emergency room.

Could this be a union rules thing or that other thing called, don't-give-a-damn negligence!

Note: The gentleman pictured is not the veteran spoken of here. The VA facility has not released that man's name yet.

6-20-14 10:48 AM EST: Medal of Honor recipient Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter went on Fox and Friends this morning, and as we've seen before, brought his honor along with him. It isn't a medal, it's something inside him. What a man this is. In this interview Kyle said some things we've not heard before, and of course they were honorable too.

7-2-14 11:03 AM EST: “Judge not that ye be not judged; we carried the torch to the goal. The goal is won: guard the fire: it is yours: but remember our soul Breathes through the life that we saved, when our lives went out in the night: Your body is woven of ours: see that the torch is alight.” ~ Edward J. O’Brien, On the Day of Achievement

Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations. Ask your father, and he will inform you, Your elders, and they will tell you ~ Deuteronomy 32:7

’Tis a far, far cry from the “Minute-Men,” And the times of the buff and blue To the days of the withering Jorgensen And the hand that holds it true.

’Tis a far, far cry from Lexington To the isles of the China Sea, But ever the same the man and the gun— Ever the same are we ~ Edwin L. Sabin, The American Soldier 1899.

God and a soldier all people adore In time of war, but not before; And when war is over and all things are righted, God is neglected and an old soldier slighted. ~ Anon.

This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother... ~ Shakespeare , King Henry V St. Crispin’s Day Speech

They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green ~ Psalm 92:14

To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. ~ from LC John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields

So many men I see every week when I go to town are a little bent with age, gray hair peeking out from under their Veteran’s caps, but still, whenever I get a chance to talk to one, or shake their hand to thank them, there is still strength in them, especially in their faces. They still have that quiet dignity, which except for their caps, seems to say “I have served my country” and so many would gladly do it still if they could. These honorable men (and women too!) are leaving us too quickly, but their legacy can live on – not just by those of us who want to learn from them, but by those who follow in their footsteps.

We as younger generations can learn much from those of the older generations, if we listen and accept the torch whenever it is handed to us.In honor of all those who have passed the torch, this is for you, a reminder that once a Soldier, always a soldier you will be. Thank you. Have an awesome Warrior Wednesday.

6-20-14 10:17 AM EST: As a civilian, I have certain rights that I can say what’s on my heart to say. I can redress, petition, and criticize the Government. No matter one’s political preference, each American has these rights- that is unless you are a currently serving in the military.

While many take our rights for granted our military are not permitted to publically challenge the acts of our Government or criticize policies. While it is understandable, how are those who are affected most by ROEs supposed to fight with their hands tied behind their backs as they’re in the heat of combat or in extreme circumstances surrounded by enemies in the field?